July 2016 – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Kevin Durant will sign with Warriors

Thunder superstar small forward Kevin Durant will sign with the Golden State Warriors.

He announced his decision via the “Players Tribune.”

On Golden State, Durant will team with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to form what looks like an incredible, ultra-talented squad that on paper has potential to be a dynasty.

Wrote Durant:

It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.

I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team. I will forever cherish the relationships within the organization — the friends and teammates that I went to war with on the court for nine years, and all the fans and people of the community. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me.

Kings, Matt Barnes agree to deal

Small forward Matt Barnes played for the Grizzlies last season, averaging 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. Pretty similar stats to what he put up the three previous seasons while playing for the Clippers. He brings toughness, versatility, hustle, and an occasional bad temper. And he’s reportedly going to bring all that and more to the Kings, who he played for in the second season (2004-05) of his NBA career.

According to Sam Amick of USA today, Barnes and the Kings came to an agreement today. The deal is reportedly for two years, $12 million, with the second year a player option.

The Kings this offseason have reportedly added Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver, while losing Rajon Rondo in free agency to the Bulls.

The squad’s leader is center DeMarcus Cousins, followed by small forward Rudy Gay.

Rajon Rondo to sign with Bulls

The Bulls traded Derrick Rose away this offseason, and Pau Gasol is a free agent. So for now, the team is built around Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson, Robin Lopez and a supporting cast.

The team needs a point guard.

Enter Rajon Rondo.

According to Marc Spears of The Undefeated, Rondo has agreed to sign with the Bulls for two years, $28 million.

Rondo played for the Kings last season and had his best year in a long time, averaging 11.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 11.7 assists and almost two steals per game, on 45.4% shooting.

Jamal Crawford returning to Clippers

Jamal Crawford is 36 years old, past his prime and in the golden years of his career, but still able to score. This past regular season for the Clippers he averaged 14.2 ppg on 40.4% shooting. The squad apparently thinks he has enough game left to bring him back on a multi-year deal.

According to Sam Amick of USA Today, the deal is for $42 million over three years, with the third year a partial guarantee. Overall, that’s $14 million per season.

That’s a bigger and longer contract than we expected Crawford to receive at this point in his career. Even with the new cap and higher salaries taken into account. It seemed more likely that he’s receive a one or at most two-year deal. But, people like having Jamal around. So, he’ll remain with the LAC.

Al Horford to sign with Celtics

Big move for Boston, landing a versatile, undersized but talented center with a nice outside shot, Al Horford. The Hawks will miss him, but they have Paul Millsap and new addition Dwight Howard up front and so it isn’t surprising that Horford is signing elsewhere. Here’s the Boston Herald blog reporting:

In certainly the most expensive free agent signing in franchise history, the Celtics will pay Horford $113 million over the next four years. According to Yahoo/The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Horford and the Hawks finished $6 million apart on a five-year max contract offer, and were unable to close the gap.

At 7:16 p.m. Horford posted on his Twitter page “CELTICS PRIDE!!!!!!” followed by a line of 18 shamrocks. Die-hards will clearly read into that number, since the Celtics are one NBA title away from that number of championships.

Horford also painted his Twitter page and avatar in Celtics green and added “Boston Celtics star Forward/Center” to his Twitter bio.

The Celtics have a 30-year-old All-Star center in his prime, and an entirely different look to what they can now do at both ends of the floor.

Manu Ginobili will play next season

Writing in Spanish on his website, veteran Spurs guard/forward Manu Ginobili, whose career is winding down, let the world know he’s playing again next season. Though, he’s still a free agent, and needs to agree to a deal. Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting:

Manu Ginobili has made a decision for the 2016-17 season.

The 38-year-old forward will return to the NBA next season he announced on his website.

“I have decided to continue playing in the NBA,” Ginobili wrote. “I didn’t really have many doubts, but as I have done lately, I wanted to let a little time pass and view this past season from a little distance. The reality is that this year I feel more secure and (the decision is) clearer than the year before.”

Timberwolves, Cole Aldrich reach agreement

With most free agents having already made agreements, now we’re mostly left with players who will have a backup role. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune with a Timberwolves update:

Going into the third day of free agency, the Wolves have made their first move by reaching agreement on a three-year, $22 million contract with Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich.

The former Bloomington Jefferson star and Kansas University center is coming home.

Reached by colleague Kent Youngblood on Sunday evening while on an Italian vacation, Aldrich, 27, said “being part of the organization I grew up watching is really very special. You always kind of think it’s a possibility. You never really know. I’m just really exicted.”

Nets will sign Tyler Johnson to offer sheet

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Nets and their rebuilding project:

After signing starting point guard Jeremy Lin on Friday and power forward Trevor Booker on Saturday, the Nets are preparing to add restricted free-agent guard Tyler Johnson, who has agreed to sign a four-year, $50 million offer sheet, according to The Vertical.

The Miami Heat, with whom Johnson has played for his first two NBA seasons, have three days to retain him and match the Nets’ bid once the 24-year-old signs the Nets’ offer on Thursday, which is when the free-agent signing moratorium will be lifted.

Jazz will send Trey Burke to Wizards

The Jazz have way too many point guards. A trade was expected. And that’s what will happen — Trey Burke will become a member of the Jazz. Here’s the Washington Post:

The Washington Wizards, who missed out on signing four-time All-Star Al Horford on Saturday, made multiple moves Sunday to improve their depth.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Washington acquired Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick. The news came shortly after Wojnarowski reported the team had agreed to a four-year, $26 million deal with former Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson.

Nicholson, who averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, was the team’s second free agent pickup in as many days. The 6-foot-9 Canadian reserve played collegiately at St. Bonaventure and was the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Knicks will add Courtney Lee

The Knicks traded for Derrick Rose this summer, recently came to terms with center Joakim Noah, and yesterday came to an agreement with guard Courtney Lee. Here’s ESPN NY with more:

[Phil] Jackson and the Knicks filled out their starting five this weekend, coming to terms with Noah and shooting guard Courtney Lee.

The Knicks now have seven players under contract and several more holes to fill. They are expected to sign 2015 second-round pick Willy Hernangomez, a 6-foot-10 forward/center from overseas. The club would also like to re-sign Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway. The Knicks extended a qualifying offer of $2.7 million to Galloway.

Derrick Williams’ future with the Knicks is uncertain. Depending on the value of the first year of Noah and Lee’s contracts, the club could have about $5 million in available cap space. But it seems as if Williams will find more money from another club.